Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Oakland Neighborhood of Oakland, CA from $700 (135 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown Oakland area of Oakland.

property at 1234 Union St

$850

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$850
Total Monthly Price
$850

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Townhome for Rent

Available Now

1234 Union St

OaklandCA94607

Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

Find income-restricted rentals and housing subsidies. Explore government programs designed to help low-income families secure stable, affordable housing.

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What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

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Prescott Station
Rent Specials
$1,775 - $2,677
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,775 - $2,677
Total Monthly Price
$1,775 - $2,677
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Prescott Station

2121 Wood StOakland, CA 94607
Student Housing
  • Verified
  • Low Income
  • 3D Tour
property at 321 Athol Ave

$1,780

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals

Available Now

1

321 Athol Ave
OaklandCA94606
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1900 Broadway
Rent Specials
$1,802 - $7,072
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,802 - $7,072
Total Monthly Price
Varies
Studio to 4 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

1900 Broadway

1950 BroadwayOakland, CA 94612
Student Housing
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour

Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between

Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.

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property at 626 8th St

$1,895

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Townhome for Rent

Available Now

626 8th St, Unit #3

626 8th St
OaklandCA94607
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668 28th St
1 to 7 Bedroom Apartments

668 28th St

668 28th StOakland, CA 94609
Student Housing
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ArtHaus Northgate
Studio Apartments

ArtHaus Northgate

2618 Martin Luther King Jr WayOakland, CA 94612

Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

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Hillcastle Apartments
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Hillcastle Apartments

1431 Jackson StOakland, CA 94612
  • Utilities Included
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715 Peralta St
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

715 Peralta St

715 Peralta StOakland, CA 94607
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Nook on Valdez
Studio Apartments

Nook on Valdez

2425 Valdez StOakland, CA 94612
  • Utilities Included
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ArtHaus Linden
Studio Apartments

ArtHaus Linden

1054 18th StOakland, CA 94607
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Ivy Haus
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Ivy Haus

1844 7th AveOakland, CA 94606
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Electric Lofts
Studio Apartments

Electric Lofts

2415 Valdez StOakland, CA 94612
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ArtHaus Six
Studio Apartments

ArtHaus Six

825 6th AveOakland, CA 94606
Corporate Housing
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3301 Telegraph Ave
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

3301 Telegraph Ave

3301 Telegraph AveOakland, CA 94609

Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.

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Downtown Oakland, Oakland, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Downtown Oakland Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown Oakland area of San Francisco, CA is a Studio unit found at Claridge Hotel LP. priced from $895. Northgate Terrace has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,050. Here are the most affordable Downtown Oakland apartments for rent in San Francisco, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Claridge Hotel LP.SROStudio,$895
Northgate TerraceStudioStudio,1BA$1,050
ArtHaus NorthgateFloor Plan B Studio 1BAStudio,1BA$1,198
La PeraltaSRO with BathStudio,1BA$1,245
Nook on ValdezFLOOR PLAN AStudio,1BA$1,250
ArtHaus LindenFloor Plan E Studio 1BAStudio,1BA$1,284
Electric LoftsStudio G & HStudio,1BA$1,320
ArtHaus ChestnutFloor Plan E Studio 1BAStudio,1BA$1,350
ArtHaus NinthFloor Plan B 2BR Co LivingStudio,1BA$1,363

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Oakland, CA

As of July 18, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown Oakland area is the $2.42 price per square foot 874 36th St Model at 874 36th St, Unit C in the in the West Oakland neighborhood starting from $3,600. The second greatest value Downtown Oakland apartment is the Loft C Model at 5th Street Lofts starting at $2,865 with a $2.12 price per square foot in the West Oakland neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Oakland apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
874 36th St, Unit C874 36th St3BR,2BA$2.42
5th Street LoftsLoft CStudio ,1BA$2.12
Common MacArthurFloor Plan I 4BR 2BA4BR,2BA$2.82
3136 Union St, Unit 31363136 Union St3BR,1BA$2.81
Piedmont2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Income-Restricted2BR,1BA$2.49
Alice Court1 Bedroom/ 1 Bath1BR,1BA$2.33
937 International Blvd2 Beds, 1 Baths2BR,1BA$2.47
2124 5th Ave, Unit Apt B2124 5th Ave1BR,1BA$2.52
1523-1527 8th Ave2 Beds, 1 Baths2BR,1BA$2.85
1537 8th Ave2 Beds, 1 Baths2BR,1BA$2.85

Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.

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Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University

From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.

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Quick Rent Budget Calculator

How much rent can you afford?

The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.

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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Downtown Oakland, Oakland, CA

Ranked #2

Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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Best Local Schools in
Downtown Oakland, Oakland, CA

School data provided by Great Schools

Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving brings you our detailed rental search system called 'Lifestyle ratings', composed of neighborhoods, cities and towns, and rental properties across California, including Oakland. LifeStyle Ratings are a useful tool for comparing and sorting apartments and neighborhoods when choosing your rental home. This takes in many factors including searching for the best amenities, and easy access to the parks, pet-friendly features, family-friendly amenities, proximity to transit, and how walkable or bikeable each community and area is. Find Lifestyle Search in the filter options (above). Happy Searching!

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown Oakland Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Downtown Oakland?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown Oakland is under $1,363.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown Oakland?

The cheapest apartment in Downtown Oakland is Northgate Terrace which is listed at $1,250, while the average apartment in Downtown Oakland costs $9,808.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown Oakland?

Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 34 regular apartments in Downtown Oakland that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Downtown Oakland?

Cheap apartments in Downtown Oakland have an average cost of $389 which is $9,419 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown Oakland.

Expert Rental Resources

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

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